BIG TEN Basketball Preview…

We are predicting that the Big Ten will experience a “changing of the guard” in 2016-17.

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The crispness of the fall air, the time change (fall back), and the squeak of basketball sneakers in gymnasiums across the country can only mean ONE thing – basketball is back! And the official start for the march to March Madness has started.

Here’s our look at the Big Ten:

As of right now, Wisconsin seems to have the greatest advantage. The Badgers return every key player from a team that regrouped under new coach Greg Gard to go 12–6 in Big Ten play. Meanwhile, teams like Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue will look for role players and secondary scorers to take the next step.

1.

Five starters return, including Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig — key players with Final Four experience.

2.

Tom Izzo has rarely relied on freshmen, but he will do so this season with Miles Bridges and Joshua Langford heading his best recruiting class.

3.

If Pitt transfer Josh Newkirk delivers at point guard and OG Anunoby takes the next step, the Hoosiers could win the Big Ten title again.

4.

Getting Vince Edwards and Caleb Swanigan to return was critical, but Matt Painter’s team won’t contend unless it finds a high-caliber point guard.

5.

Keeping Derrick Walton healthy for the entire season is critical for the Wolverines, who have a nice first five but little experienced depth.

6.

Melo Trimble is back for his third tour at Maryland. He will have to play like the league’s best point guard as the Terps try to replace four starters.

7.

Transfers wiped out most of Thad Matta’s sophomore class, so depth and the maturity of point guard JaQuan Lyle are the primary issues.

8.

With the addition of Pat Chambers’ best freshman class, the Nittany Lions will be able to win with talent as well as grit.

9.
The loss of four starters plus memories of the Hawkeyes’ struggles down the stretch last season make Iowa the Big Ten’s biggest mystery.

10.

Chris Collins has upgraded the talent every year, and he has the point guard (Bryant McIntosh) to compete.

11.

Losing 19 games and facing a string of off-the-court issues have Illini fans wondering if John Groce can regain momentum.

12.
Richard Pitino has failed to make the NCAA Tournament for three seasons and needs to impress a new athletic director.

13.

Losing Andrew White in late June was major setback that coach Tim Miles did not expect.